Rollback Preventer for Injection Molded Tape Dispensers

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser includes a plastic injection molded frame with a resiliently flexible finger that helps prevent the free end of a roll of tape from accidentally retracting, falling back, and frustratingly sticking to the coiled portion of the tape. To avoid this problem, a distal end of the finger presses against the inner diameter of a cardboard or plastic spool about which the tape is wrapped. Friction between the finger&#39;s distal end and the spool&#39;s inner diameter inhibits reverse rotation of the spool. To avoid breaking the finger while forcefully loading the roll of tape into the dispenser during assembly, a lateral backstop surface on the dispenser prevents the spool from bending the finger too far in a laterally outward direction. To avoid breaking the finger during subsequent rough use, another backstop surface prevents the spool from bending the finger too far in a radially downward direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/731,614 filed on Jun. 5, 2015; which isspecifically incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to adhesive tape dispensers for handlinga roll of tape and more specifically to plastic injection moldeddispensers with integral means for preventing the end of the tape fromaccidentally falling back onto the roll.

BACKGROUND

Some pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes come preloaded in a plastic tapedispenser. One example of such tape is sometimes referred to aspackaging tape, packing tape, shipping tape, box-sealing tape or parceltape. Packaging tape is often made of about a two-inch wide strip ofpolypropylene or polyester film with a pressure-sensitive adhesivecoating on one side of the film. The tape is usually wound upon acardboard or plastic spool with the adhesive side of the film facinginward toward the spool. Consumers and businesses often use packagingtape for sealing cardboard boxes. Depending on the cost, durability anddesign of the dispenser, some plastic tape dispensers are reusable whileothers are more disposable.

SUMMARY

The tape dispenser system disclosed herein helps prevent the free end ofa roll of tape from accidentally falling back onto the coiled portion ofthe tape. This is accomplished with at least one anti-reverse rotationpawl that is a seamless integral extension of a monolithic tapedispenser frame. The pawl being an integral extension of the frameitself avoids or minimizes the use of moving parts, and thus avoids orreduces assembly costs and frictional wear. In some examples, the frameis plastic injection molded with a parting line that is strategicallypositioned to enable the frame to have two spool-supporting sidewallsthat provide the roll of tape with greater support.

In one aspect, a tape dispenser system is provided that includes a firstsidewall; a second sidewall spaced apart from the second sidewall todefine a spool-receiving chamber between the first sidewall and thesecond sidewall; a bridge providing an integral seamless connectionbetween the first sidewall and the second sidewall; a first flangeextending from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall, the firstflange defining an air gap between a first segment of the first flangeand a second segment of the first flange; a second flange extending fromthe second sidewall toward the first sidewall; a spool havingselectively an installed position and a removed position, the spoolbeing radially supported by the first flange and the second flangewithin the spool-receiving chamber when the spool is in the installedposition, the spool being outside of the spool-receiving chamber whenthe spool is in the removed position, the spool being tubular and havingan axial length and an inner surface; an adhesive tape wrapped aroundthe spool; and a first pawl extending from at least one of the firstsidewall and the first flange, the first pawl having a first tip that isspaced apart from both the first sidewall and the second sidewall, thefirst tip engaging a point of contact on the inner surface of the spoolwhen the spool is in the installed position, the first tip being betweenthe air gap and the point of contact on the inner surface of the spoolwhen the spool is in the installed position.

In another aspect, a tape dispenser system is provided that includes afirst sidewall; a second sidewall spaced apart from the second sidewallto define a spool-receiving chamber between the first sidewall and thesecond sidewall; a bridge extending from the first sidewall to thesecond sidewall, the bridge having a tape-discharge edge; a first flangeextending from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall; a secondflange extending from the second sidewall toward the first sidewall; aspool having selectively an installed position and a removed position,the spool being radially supported by the first flange and the secondflange within the spool-receiving chamber when the spool is in theinstalled position, the spool being outside of the spool-receivingchamber when the spool is in the removed position, the spool having anaxial length and an inner diameter; an adhesive tape wrapped around thespool; a first pawl extending from at least one of the first sidewalland the first flange, the first pawl having a first tip that is spacedapart from both the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the firsttip engaging the inner diameter of the spool when the spool is in theinstalled position; a first side member being comprised of the firstsidewall, the first flange and the first pawl; a second side memberbeing comprised of the second sidewall and the second flange; and amonolithic frame being comprised of the first side member, the secondside member and the bridge; the monolithic frame being configuredselectively to a relaxed position, a splayed position, and a loadedposition; the first pawl being at a first distance from the secondsidewall when the monolithic frame is in the relaxed position; the firstpawl being at a second distance from the second sidewall when themonolithic frame is in the splayed position; the first pawl being at athird distance from the second sidewall when the monolithic frame is inthe loaded position; the second distance being greater than the firstdistance; the second distance being greater than the third distance; thesecond distance providing sufficient clearance for the spool to be movedbetween the installed position and the removed position; the monolithicframe being in the relaxed position when the spool is in the removedposition; and the monolithic frame being in the loaded position when thespool is in the installed position.

In another aspect, a tape dispenser method involves the use of a firstmold block, a second mold block, and a plastic material, wherein thetape dispenser method includes the first mold block defining a firstcavity system; the second mold block defining a second cavity system;forcing the first mold block and the second mold block together suchthat the first mold block and the second mold block engage each other ata mold interface; upon forcing the first mold block and the second moldblock together, the first cavity system and the second cavity systemcreating a total cavity; injecting the plastic material into the totalcavity; solidifying the plastic material in the total cavity, therebycreating a tape dispenser frame comprising a first sidewall, a firstflange on the first sidewall, a second sidewall, a second flange on thesecond sidewall, a bridge extending between the first sidewall and thesecond sidewall, and a first pawl extending from at least one of thefirst sidewall and the first flange; the first sidewall at leastmomentarily extending into both the first cavity system and the secondcavity system; the second sidewall at least momentarily extending intoboth the first cavity system and the second cavity system; removing thetape dispenser frame from the total cavity; resiliently splaying thefirst sidewall and the second sidewall to widen a spool-receivingchamber between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; insertingthe spool into the spool-receiving chamber; at least one of the firstsidewall and the second sidewall flexing toward the spool; the firstflange and the second flange supporting the spool; and the first pawlengaging an inner diameter of the spool such that the spool can rotatemore freely in one direction than in an opposite direction.

The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodimentof every implementation of the present invention. The brief descriptionof the drawings and the detailed description which follows moreparticularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front-left-top perspective view an example tape dispensersystem constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing aninstalled roll of tape in phantom lines.

FIG. 4 is a back view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back view similar to FIG. 4 but showing an installed spoolwith no tape and with part of the spool cut away.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the spool inthe process of being installed.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of encircled section-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a top view of FIG. 8 with the frame in a relaxed position.

FIG. 9 is a top view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the frame in asplayed position about to receive the spool.

FIG. 10 is a top view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 but showing the frame ina loaded position.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example tape dispenser methodin accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another phase of the method shownin FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing yet another phase of the methodshown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of two example mold blocks producingan example pawl in accordance with the teaching disclosed herein.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 12 but showing anotherexample tape dispenser method in accordance with the teachings disclosedherein.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing anotherexample tape dispenser system constructed in accordance with theteachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the tapedispenser system of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of FIG. 17 showing geometric features associatedwith the spool being in the removed position.

FIG. 19 is a diagram similar to FIG. 18 but showing geometric featuresassociated with the spool being in the installed position.

FIG. 20 is a diagram similar to FIGS. 18 and 19 but showing geometricfeatures associated with the spool being in the radially displacedposition.

FIG. 21 is a top view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the tape dispensersystem of FIG. 16.

FIG. 22 is a top view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the tape dispensersystem of FIG. 16.

FIG. 23 is a top view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the tape dispensersystem of FIG. 16.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged top view of the tape dispenser system of FIG. 16.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged top view similar to FIG. 25 but showing thefinger being resiliently bent laterally outward with the finger's distalend up against a lateral backstop surface.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the exampletape dispenser system of FIG. 16.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the exampletape dispenser system of FIG. 16 and further showing the finger beingresiliently bent laterally outward with the finger's distal end upagainst the lateral backstop surface.

FIG. 28 is a diagram similar to FIG. 19 but showing another example tapedispenser system constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosedherein.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the tape dispenser of FIG. 28 but with thespool shown in its displaced position.

FIG. 30 is a diagram similar to FIG. 28 but showing geometric featuresassociated with the spool being in the radially displaced position.

FIG. 31 is an axial end view of an example spool constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying setof drawings that form a part of the description hereof and in which areshown by way of illustration several specific embodiments. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be madewithout departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense.

FIGS. 1-10 show various views and configurations of an example tapedispenser system 10 comprising a plastic injected molded frame 12 forsupporting a coil of adhesive tape 14 wrapped around a spool 16. Toprevent a free end 18 of tape 14 from accidentally retracting andadhering back onto a coiled portion 20 of tape 14, frame 12 includes atleast one integral pawl 22 (e.g., a first pawl 22 a and second pawl 22b) for inhibiting reverse rotation of spool 16. Arrow 24 of FIG. 3represents the direction of inhibited reverse rotation, and arrow 26represents the permitted forward direction of rotation during normaluse. To inhibit reverse rotation, a tip 28 of pawl 22 engages an innerdiameter 30 or inner surface 32 of spool 16 at a favorable rake angle 34(e.g., between about five and twenty degrees), and a spring arm 36 ofpawl 22 presses tip 28 radially outward against spool 16 at a desirablepressure.

In some examples, spool 16 is a cardboard tube having an axial length 38and inner surface 32. Tape 14 is made of a polypropylene or polyesterfilm with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 40 on an underside ofthe film. Such tape is sometimes known as packaging tape, packing tape,box-sealing tape or parcel tape.

In the illustrated example, tape dispenser system 10 comprises a firstside member 42, a second side member 44 and a bridge 46 that provides anintegral seamless connection between side members 42 and 44. In someexamples, first side member 42 comprises a first sidewall 48, a firstflange 50 extending inwardly from first sidewall 48, and first pawl 22 aextending from first flange 50 and/or from first sidewall 48. Likewise,second side member 44 comprises a second sidewall 52, a second flange 54extending inwardly from second sidewall 52, and second pawl 22 bextending from second flange 54 and/or from second sidewall 52.Sidewalls 48 and 52 are spaced apart in an axial direction 56 to createa spool-receiving chamber 58 (FIG. 9) between sidewalls 48 and 52.

In some examples, to make frame 12 completely functional yet soinexpensive that some might consider it to be disposable, bridge 46 andside members 42 and 44 are plastic injection molded as a seamlessunitary piece, whereby frame 12 is monolithic. Frame 12 being aseamless, monolithic piece makes it maintenance-free and quick and easyto manufacture. Although frame 18 can be made of various materials, someexample frame materials are chosen so as to address the tape dispenser'svarious and sometimes conflicting design requirements. For some examplesof tape dispenser system 10, the design requirements include, frame 12having sufficient structural strength and stiffness to support a spool atape, frame 12 being sufficiently flexible for loading or replacing aspool of tape between two side members 42 and 44, pawl 22 being stiffenough to exert enough gripping pressure against spool 16, pawl 22 beingsufficiently flexible to accommodate radial movement and dimensionalvariance of spool 16, and pawl 22 providing an appropriate coefficientof friction at a point of contact 60 where tip 28 of pawl 22 engagesinner surface 32 or inner diameter 30 of spool 16. To accomplish allthis, some examples of frame 12 are plastic injection molded of ABS(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

Additional features of some examples of tape dispenser system 10 includea semi-flexible tongue 64, a series of ribs 66, an air gap 68 betweentwo flange segments 50 a and 50 b of flange 50, a pair oftape-supporting ledges 70, a lead-in surface 72 at the pawl's tip 28, atape-discharge edge 74 on bridge 46, a serrated blade 76 for cuttingtape 14 near tape-discharge edge 74, one or more blade-holding features78, multiple contact points 80 and 82 for supporting spool 16 in aradial direction, and a mold parting line 84 extending generally in alongitudinal direction 86 between a rotational axis 88 of spool 16 andan edge line 90 defined by tape-discharge edge 74. Tongue 64 can be usedas a frictional brake pad for momentarily holding the roll of tape. Ribs66 provide the equivalent of a flat contact surface against the axialends 92 of spool 16 even if sidewalls 48 and 52 do not lie parallel toeach other. Air gap 68 provides mold clearance for facilitating plasticinjection molding of pawl 22 without interfering with flange 50 or 54.After blade 76 cuts off tape 14, ledges 70 prevent the tape's free end18 from falling back onto the roll of tape, which works well if the rollof tape is kept from rotating backwards. Lead-in surface 72 at thepawl's tip 28, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, engages an inner axial edge 94of spool 16 to help guide spool 16 into its installed position. Lead-insurface 72 is neither parallel nor perpendicular to rotational axis 88.Although lead-in surface 72 is tapered and straight in the illustratedexample, other examples of lead-in surface 72 are tapered and curved.Blade-holding features 78, in some examples, are integral pins orprotrusions of frame 12. Features 78 protrude into or otherwise engageholes or other mating features in blade 76 to help align and restrainblade 76 relative to tape-discharge edge 74. Contact points 80 and 82along with the pawl's tip 28 establish the location of the spool'srotational axis 88. In addition or as an alternative to pawl 22, someexamples of contact points 80 and/or 82 are in the form of a pawl-likeelement that provides or enhances the anti-reverse rotation function oftape dispenser system 10. Parting line 84 extending generally inlongitudinal direction 86 makes it possible to injection mold amonolithic frame with side members 42 and 44 that provide ample supportat both ends of spool 16. With this design, side members 42 and 44provide spool support in both axial direction 56 and in a radialdirection (perpendicular to axial direction 56), thus avoiding the useof alternative weaker structures such as a cantilever design.

Pawl 22, spool 16 and frame 12 have multiple selective configurations orpositions. Pawl 22 is movable between a disengaged position (FIGS. 1, 2and 4) and an engaged position (FIGS. 3 and 7). In the disengagedposition, the pawl's tip 28 is spaced apart from spool 16. In theengaged position, the pawl's tip 28 engages spool 16 at the point ofcontact 60 on an inner diameter 30 or inner surface 32 of spool 16. Pawl22 has a base 96 that connects to sidewall 48 and/or to flange 50. Pawl22 extending from base 96 to tip 28 creates spring arm 36 that pressesthe pawl's tip 28 radially outward against the spool's inner surface 32.Tip 28 is spaced apart from both sidewalls 48 and 52 to facilitate aplastic injection process of making frame 12 and to provide pawl 22 withthe freedom to flex without interference from neither sidewall 48 nor52. With reference to a radial direction (i.e., perpendicular to axis 88and axial direction 56), tip 28 is between point of contact 60 and airgap 68 to further facilitate a plastic injection molding process.

Spool 16 is movable between a removed position (FIG. 9) and an installedposition (FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 10). In the removed position, spool 16 isspaced apart from frame 12 and is outside of spool-receiving chamber 58.In the installed position, spool 16 is situated within spool-receivingchamber 58, engaged with pawl 22 and supported by side members 48 and52. Arrow 98 of FIG. 6 represents pawl 22 automatically moving from itsdisengaged position toward its engaged position in response to thespool's inner axial edge 94 sliding along lead-in surface 72 as spool 16moves from its removed position toward its installed position, asindicated by arrow 100.

To install or remove spool 16, frame 12 is movable selectively to arelaxed position (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 8), a splayed position (FIG. 9),and a loaded position (FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 10). In the relaxed position,pawl 22 a is a first distance 102 from sidewall 52, as shown in FIG. 8.To install spool 16, as shown in FIG. 9, sidewalls 48 and 52 areresiliently spread apart to place pawl 22 a at a second distance 104from sidewall 52, wherein second distance 104 provides sufficientclearance for spool 16 to enter spool-receiving chamber 58. Once spool16 is installed within spool-receiving chamber 58, sidewalls 48 and 52are released to allow sidewalls 48 and 52 to move inward to where pawl22 a is at a third distance 106 from sidewall 52, as shown in FIG. 10.In some examples, third distance 106 is slightly greater than firstdistance 102 so that during normal operation sidewalls 48 and 52 applylight axial pressure against spool 16. In some examples, first distance102 is substantially equal to third distance 106, which eases theinstallation and removal of spool 16. In the illustrated example, seconddistance 104 is greater than both first distance 102 and third distance106, which helps ensure that spool 16 remains within spool-receivingchamber 58′ during normal operation. In examples that include two pawls22 a and 22 b on separate sidewalls 48 and 52, second pawl 22 b isspaced apart from first pawl 22 a by a pawl separation distance 108 thatis greater when spool 16 is in the installed position than when spool 16is in the removed position, thereby ensuring that both pawls 22 a and 22b engage spool 16 while spool 16 is held snugly between sidewalls 48 and52.

FIGS. 11-13 schematically illustrate an example tape dispenser method110 for making frame 12 by way of a plastic injection molding machine112. In this example, machine 112 comprises a plastic injection ram 114,a first mold block 116 defining a first cavity system 118 a, and asecond mold block 120 defining a second cavity system 118 b. Arrows 122and 124 represent forcing first mold block 116 and second mold block 120together such that first mold block 116 and second mold block 120 engageeach other at a mold interface 126. FIG. 12 shows that upon forcing moldblocks 116 and 120 together, first cavity system 118 a and second cavitysystem 118 b create a total cavity 118. Arrows 128 and 130 representinjecting a plastic material 132 (e.g., molten or softened ABS) intototal cavity 118. Arrows 134 represent solidifying the plastic material132 in total cavity 118, thereby creating tape dispenser frame 12. FIG.12 shows first sidewall 48 at least momentarily extending into bothcavity systems 118 a and 118 b. FIG. 12 also shows second sidewall 52 atleast momentarily extending into both cavity systems 118 a and 118 b.FIG. 12 also shows flanges 50 and 54 at least momentarily extending intoboth cavity systems 118 a and 118 b. While FIG. 3 shows frame 12defining the spool's rotational axis 88, FIG. 12 shows mold interface126 creating parting line 84 on first sidewall 48, wherein parting line84 extends between bridge 46 and rotational axis 88, as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 1 also shows parting line 84 being substantially perpendicular torotational axis 88. In some examples, sidewall 52 includes an innersurface 52 a facing sidewall 48 and an outer surface 48 b facing awayfrom sidewall 48, and parting line 84 is on the sidewall's outer surface52 b.

Arrow 136 of FIG. 13 represents removing tape dispenser frame 12 fromtotal cavity 118. Arrows 138 of FIG. 9 represents resiliently splayingfirst sidewall 48 and second sidewall 52 to widen spool-receivingchamber 58 between first sidewall 48 and second sidewall 52. Arrow 140of FIG. 9 represent inserting spool 16 into spool-receiving chamber 58.Arrows 142 of FIG. 10 represent first sidewall 48 and/or second sidewall52 flexing toward spool 16. FIGS. 3, 5 and 10 show first flange 50 andsecond flange 54 supporting spool 16. FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 show first pawl22 engaging the spool's inner diameter 30 such that spool 16 can rotatemore freely in one direction 26 than in an opposite direction 24.

In some examples, pawl 22 is of a shape that facilitates a plasticinjecting molding process. Referring back to FIGS. 4-7, pawl 22 includesbase 96, a first edge 144 and a second edge 146. Base 96 adjoins firstsidewall 48, and first edge 144 (with respect to axial direction 56) isbetween first sidewall 48 and second edge 146. First edge 144 extendslengthwise from base 96 to tip 28, and second edge 146 (with respect toaxial direction 56) is between first edge 144 and second sidewall 52.Second edge 146 extends lengthwise from base 96 to tip 28, and firstedge 144 and second edge 146 converge from base 96 to tip 28.

In some examples, as shown in FIG. 14, pawl 22 includes a first surface148 and a second surface 150, wherein first surface 148 at leastmomentarily lies against a first mold block 116′, and second surface 150at least momentarily lies against a second mold block 120′. This resultsin a mold interface 126′ creating a sharp parting line 152 at the pawl'stip 28 and thus at a point of contact 60 where pawl 22 engages thespool's inner diameter 30. In some examples, the spool's tip 28 beingsharp enhances the pawl's ability to “bite” into the spool's innersurface 32 and thus more effectively resist reverse rotation of spool16.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example tape dispenser method 154 using adual-injection process for making frame 12 with the pawl's tip 28 beingsofter and more flexible than sidewall 48. In some examples, tip 28being relatively soft or rubbery increases the coefficient of frictionbetween tip 28 and the spool's inner surface 32. The increased frictioncan improve the pawl's ability to resist reverse rotation of spool 16while the pawl's greater flexibility enables pawl 22 to yield to thespool's forward rotation. The term, “dual injection” refers to anyplastic injection molding process where the finished product iscomprised of two different plastic injected materials. Examples of knowndual injection processes include, but are not limited to, co-injectionmolding, multishot molding, overmolding, two-shot molding, two-timesinjection molding, and insert molding. In some examples, a singleplastic injection molding machine 156 includes one ram 158 for injectinga thermoplastic elastomer or thermoset elastomer for the pawl's tip 28and another ram 160 for injecting a thermoplastic or thermoset plasticfor the rest of frame 12. Arrow 162 represents injecting a first basematerial 164 to create at least part of first sidewall 48, and arrow 166represents injecting a second softer material 168 to create at leastpart of first pawl 22 (e.g., tip 28 of pawl 22).

It should be noted that all references cited in this disclosure,including U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,925,611; 8,813,806; 8,191,597; 8,042,592;7,370,782; 7,353,854 are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety. Also, for further clarification, it should be further notedthat the term, “pawl,” refers to any finger, tab, bar or other elongatemember that in reaction to being urged to move in a first directionacross and relative to an adjacent surface, the elongate member tends tobind against the adjacent surface with more binding force in the firstdirection than in an opposite direction, wherein the adjacent surfacecan be of any geometry including, but not limited to, smooth, irregular,cogged, toothed, curved, etc. The term, “flange,” refers to anyprotrusion extending at least partially from one sidewall toward anothersidewall. The term, “bridge,” as it pertains to first and secondsidewalls, refers to any structural member that extends from the firstsidewall to the second sidewall, thereby spanning the distance betweenthe two sidewalls. The term, “monolithic,” as it pertains to a structuremeans that the structure is a seamless unitary piece. A structure madeusing a common plastic injection molding process is one example of amonolithic structure. The term, “mold parting line,” refers to asubstantially linear step, offset or other discontinuity between twoadjoining surfaces, wherein such a step, offset or discontinuity wouldbe considered, by those of ordinary skill in the art, as actually beingor at least resembling a surface imperfection that is typicallycharacteristic of an imperfect or intentional interface between twoplastic injection mold halves. In some examples, a mold parting lineoccurs along the interface between two adjoining surfaces of a part,wherein the two surfaces are slightly non-parallel (e.g., less than fivedegrees), which can be due (but not necessarily due) to a draft anglethat facilitates removal of the part from a plastic injection mold. Theterm, “radial” refers to a direction generally perpendicular to thespool's rotational axis 88 when spool 16 is in the installed position.The term, “axial” refers to a direction generally parallel to thespool's rotational axis 88 when spool 16 is in the installed position.While spool 16 being in the installed position defines rotational axis88, that defined rotational axis, by definition, remains fixed in spacerelative to bridge 46 even if spool 16 is later moved from the installedposition to the removed position. The term, “converging,” as it pertainsto two edges means that the distance between the two edges becomesprogressing less over the length of the edges; however, the edges do notnecessarily intersect each other.

In addition or alternatively, some examples of tape dispenser system 10are defined as a tape dispenser system comprising: first sidewall 48;second sidewall 52 spaced apart from first sidewall 48 to define aspool-receiving chamber 58 between first sidewall 48 and second sidewall58; bridge 46 providing an integral seamless connection between firstsidewall 48 and second sidewall 52; spool 16 disposed withinspool-receiving chamber 58; adhesive tape 18 wrapped around spool 16;and first pawl 22 a having a base 96, tip 28, first edge 144 and secondedge 146, the base 96 adjoining first sidewall 48, tip 28 engaging spool16, first edge 144 being between first sidewall 48 and second edge 146,first edge 144 extending lengthwise from base 96 to tip 28, second edge146 being between first edge 144 and second sidewall 52, second edge 146extending lengthwise from base 96 to tip 28, and first edge 144 andsecond edge 146 converging from base 96 to tip 28.

FIGS. 16-27 illustrate an example tape dispenser system 10′ that issimilar to tape dispenser system 10. Some examples of tape dispensersystem 10′ include: 1) a radially compressive interference fit between amonolithic frame 12′ and the spool's inner diameter 30; 2) a radialbackstop contact point 170 (fourth contact point 170); and/or 3) alateral backstop surface 172. Backstops 170 and 172 provide pawl 22and/or a finger 22′ with radial and lateral travel limits that preventpawl 22 and/or finger 22′ from being forcibly bent in either directionbeyond its yield point.

The radial compressive fit, as illustrated by a first circle 174 and asmaller second circle 176 shown in FIG. 19, creates a biting action(e.g., pawl with a sharp edge) and/or gripping friction between thespool's inner diameter 30 and a distal end 178 of a resilient finger 22′(e.g., first fingers 22 a′ and 22 b′). The biting action and/or grippingfriction helps prevent spool 16 from accidentally rotating backwards. Insome examples, the finger's distal end 178 exerts a frictional grippingforce that is greater in one rotational direction of spool 16 than in anopposite direction of rotation. In some examples, the magnitude of thefrictional gripping force is substantially the same in either direction.

In addition or alternatively, radial backstop contact point 170 (fourthcontact point 170) provides a firm radial backstop 182 that helpsprevent a user or a manufacturer from unintentionally breaking finger22′ as a result of manually or mechanically pushing tape spool 16 toofar in a downward radial direction 180, wherein arrow 180 of FIG. 20represents downward radial direction 180. In other words, radialbackstop 182 engages the spool's inner diameter 30 before spool 16 canbend 22′ past its yield point.

In addition or alternatively, lateral backstop surface 172 provides afirm lateral backstop that helps prevents a user or a manufacturer fromunintentionally breaking finger 22 as a result of manually ormechanically pushing tape spool 16 too far in lateral direction 182,wherein arrow 182 of FIG. 26 represents lateral direction 182. In otherwords, the finger's distal end 178 engages lateral backstop surface 172before spool 16 can bend finger 22′ past its yield point.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 16-27, tape dispenser system 10′comprises a plastic injected molded monolithic frame 12′ that includesfirst sidewall 48, second sidewall 52, a first flange 50′, a secondflange 54′, and bridge 46. In the illustrated example, resilientlyflexible finger 22 a′ extends integrally from first sidewall 48 and/orfrom first flange 50′. In some examples, a similar second resilientlyflexible finger 22 b′ extends integrally from second sidewall 52 and/orfrom second flange 54′. In the illustrated example, finger 22 comprisesa spring arm 184, distal end 178, and a first contact point 186 ondistal end 178. Spring arm 184 extends from first sidewall 48 and/orfrom first flange 50′, and spring arm 184 supports distal end 178 in acantilevered manner. The radial interference fit between frame 12′ andspool 16, and radial backstop 182 protecting finger 22′ from bending toofar and breaking are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 17-20.

FIG. 17 shows tape dispenser frame 12′ having first contact point 186 ondistal end 178 of finger 22′, a second contact point 188 on flange 50′(e.g., on flange segment 50 a′), a third contact point 190 on flange 50′(e.g., on flange segment 50 b′), and fourth contact point 170 on radialbackstop 182. Referring further to FIG. 18, first contact point 186,second contact point 188 and third contact point 190 define first circle174. Three points defining a circle means that all three points lie onthe circle when viewed from the side perspective, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 17-20. First circle 174 and the location of points 186, 188 and190 are as they would appear when frame 12′ is in its relaxed positionwith spool 16 in its removed position. First circle 174 is larger thanthe spool's inner diameter 30, thereby creating a radial interferencefit between frame 12′ and the spool's inner diameter 30 when frame 12′is in its loaded position with spool 16 being in its installed position(e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 10, 23 and 27).

FIG. 19 shows first contact point 186 of distal end 178 having beenresiliently moved relative to second contact point 188 and third contactpoint 190 to define second circle 176, which is smaller and radiallyoffset with reference to first circle 174. The resilient movement offirst contact point 186 is by virtue of the finger's spring arm 184being resiliently flexible. FIG. 19 represents a configuration whereframe 12′ is in its loaded position with spool 16 being in the installedposition. When spool 16 is in the installed position, second circle 176coincides with the spool's inner diameter 30, which is slightly smallerthan first circle 174. Thus, the radial interference fit between frame12′ and spool 16 is what moves first contact point 186 from first circle174 to second circle 176. During use, as spool 16 rotates within frame12′ upon paying out tape 14, the spool's inner diameter 30 slides alongand is generally guided by contact points 186, 188 and 190. Frictionaldrag between the spool's inner diameter 30 and contact point 186, 188and/or 190 is what helps prevent spool 16 from accidentally rotatingbackwards.

FIG. 20 shows second contact point 188, third contact point 190 andfourth contact point 176 defining a third circle 192, which is smallerthan second circle 176. However, third circle 192 is not so small thatfinger 22′ would break or exceed its yield point (yield strength) if thefinger's distal end 178 were forced to lie on third circle 192. Thus,fourth contact point 170 on radial backstop 182 is strategicallypositioned as shown so as to protect finger 22′ from damage. Since thirdcircle 192 is smaller than second circle 176 and thus smaller than thespool's inner diameter 30, the spool's inner diameter 30 may be spacedapart from second contact point 188 and/or third contact point 190 whenspool 16 is forced to its radially displaced position, as shown in FIG.20 (see inner diameter 30 being spaced apart from points 188 and 190).

FIGS. 21-27 illustrate lateral backstop surface 172 being able toprotect finger 22 a′ from exceeding its yield point or breakage as aresult of the spool's inner axial edge 94 pushing the finger's distalend 178 laterally outward during the process of installing tape spool 16into frame 12′. Frame 12′ of FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 correspond to frame 12of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, respectively. Thus, the concept of using lateralbackstop surface 172 for protecting finger 22′ or pawl 22 applies toboth tape dispenser systems 10 and 10′.

FIG. 24 shows frame 12′ in the relaxed position with the finger's distalend 178 being spaced apart from lateral backstop surface 172. FIG. 25shows a lateral force 194 exerted by spool 16 (or some other body)pushing the finger's distal end 178 up against lateral backstop surface172. FIG. 27 shows another view of distal end 178 engaging lateralbackstop surface 172. A minimal gap 196 between relaxed finger 22 a′ andlateral backstop surface 172 prevents distal end 178 from being able tomove so far laterally as to cause finger 22 a′ to exceed its yield pointupon distal end 178 engaging lateral backstop surface 172. As distal end178 is forced from the position shown in FIG. 26 to that of FIG. 27, thespool's inner axial edge 94 engaging and sliding along a lead-in surface72′ on distal end 178 forces first contact point 186 to second circle176 where first contact point 186 engages the spool's inner diameter 30.

FIGS. 28-30 show an example tape dispenser system 10″. In this example,a radial backstop 198 extending from sidewall 48 or from first flange50″ limits how far finger 22 a′ can bend, thereby preventing finger 22a′ from being bent so far as to exceed its yield point. A fourth contactpoint 200 on radial backstop 198 is spaced apart from finger 22 a′ whenfirst contact point 186 is on first circle 174 or on second circle 176.If spool 16, however, is forced to its displaced position, as shown inFIG. 29, finger 22 a′ engages fourth contact point 200 on radialbackstop 198, and first contact point 186 stops at third circle 192. Inthis example, first contact point 186, second contact point 188 andthird contact point 190 define third circle 192, and fourth contactpoint 200 does not necessarily lie on third circle 192.

In addition or alternatively, some examples of tape dispenser systems10, 10′ and 10″ include a spool 16′, which in some examples is acardboard or plastic tube with a fluted inner diameter 30′, as shown inFIG. 31. A plurality of grooves 206 provides a more positive engagementwith the pawl's tip 28 or the finger's distal end 178. In theillustrated example, the spool's inner diameter 30′ equals the simplemathematical average of the spool's maximum inside diameter 204 and thespool's minimum inside diameter 202.

The terms, first circle, second circle and third circle are spatialgeometric terms and thus are not necessarily physical structures. Afirst contact point being resiliently movable from a first circle to asecond circle means that the frame does not exceed its yield point asthe first contact point moves from the first circle to the secondcircle, thus after the first contact point reaches the second circle,the frame has sufficient resilience for the first contact point toreturn to the first circle without irreversible distortion of the frame.A finger being resiliently moveable selectively to an inner position andan outer position means that such movement can occur without the fingerexceeding its yield point, thus after the distal end engages the lateralbackstop surface, the finger has sufficient resilience to return fromits outer position (e.g., FIG. 27) to its inner position (FIG. 26)without irreversible distortion of the finger. The term, “innerdiameter” as it relates to the inner diameter of a spool refers to theinner peripheral surface of the spool. The term, “loaded position”refers to the spool being in a predetermined normal installed locationwithin the spool-receiving chamber of the dispenser. The term, “radiallydisplaced position,” refers to the spool still being within thedispenser's spool-receiving chamber but offset relative to the spool'snormal loaded position (see inner diameter 30 in FIG. 20), wherein theoffset is in a direction perpendicular to the spool's axial longitudinalcenterline. The terms, “first contact point,” “second contact point,”“third contact point,” and “fourth contact point,” refer to points onthe dispenser frame that may engage the spool depending on the positionsof the spool and the frame. With certain combinations of spool and framepositions, some contact points are spaced apart from the spool (e.g.,point 188 or 190 of FIG. 20). Tip 28 of pawl 22 a is one example offirst contact point 186, and just as spring arm 36 provides tip 28 withresilient movement, similarly designed spring arm 36′ provides firstcontact point 186 on distal end 178 with resilient movement. Similar todispenser 10; which includes first pawl 22 a, second pawl 22 b, firstsidewall 48, second sidewall 52, first flange 50, second flange 54, airgap 68 and lead-in surface 72; tape dispenser system 10′ respectivelyincludes a first finger 22 a′, a second finger 22 b′, first sidewall 48,second sidewall 52, a first flange 50′, a second flange 54′, air gap 68′and lead-in surface 72′. In the illustrated example, air gap 68′ isbetween flange segments 50 a′ and 50 b′. In some examples, sidewall 48substantially a mirror image of sidewall 52. In some examples, flange 50is substantially a mirror image of flange 54. In some examples, flange50′ is substantially a mirror image of flange 54′. In some examples,frame 12′ (similar to frame 12) is plastic injection molded of apolystyrene based plastic, such as, for example, ABS (acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene).

Some examples of tape dispenser systems 10 and 10′ are defined asfollows:

Definition-1 is a tape dispenser system (10/10′) comprising:

-   -   a first sidewall (48);    -   a second sidewall (52) spaced apart from the first sidewall to        define a spool-receiving chamber (58) between the first sidewall        and the second sidewall;    -   a bridge (46) extending from the first sidewall to the second        sidewall, the bridge having a tape-discharge edge (74);    -   a first flange (50/50′) extending from the first sidewall toward        the second sidewall;    -   a second flange (54/54′)extending from the second sidewall        toward the first sidewall;    -   a spool (16) having selectively an installed position (FIGS. 10        and 23) and a removed position (FIGS. 9 and 22), the spool being        radially supported by the first flange and the second flange        within the spool-receiving chamber when the spool is in the        installed position, the spool being outside of the        spool-receiving chamber when the spool is in the removed        position, the spool having an axial length (38) and an inner        diameter (30);    -   an adhesive tape (14) wrapped around the spool;    -   a lateral backstop surface (172) on at least one of the first        flange and the first sidewall;    -   a finger (22/22 a/22 b/22′/22 1′/22 b′) extending from at least        one of the first flange and the first sidewall, the finger        extending in a cantilevered manner to a distal end (28) of the        finger, the finger being resiliently movable selectively to an        inner position (FIGS. 24 and 26) and an outer position (FIGS. 25        and 27) relative to the first sidewall, the distal end being        spaced apart from the lateral backstop surface when the finger        is at the inner position, the distal end engaging the lateral        backstop surface when the finger is in the outer position, the        spool urging the distal end from the inner position to the outer        position as the spool moves from the removed position to the        installed position, the distal end of the finger engaging the        inner diameter of the spool when the spool is in the installed        position; and

a monolithic frame (12/12′) being comprised of the first sidewall, thesecond sidewall and the bridge; the monolithic frame being configuredselectively to a relaxed position (FIGS. 8 and 21), a splayed position(FIGS. 9 and 22), and a loaded position (FIGS. 10 and 23); the firstsidewall being at a first distance (102) from the second sidewall whenthe monolithic frame is in the relaxed position; the first sidewallbeing at a second distance (104) from the second sidewall when themonolithic frame is in the splayed position; the second distance beinggreater than the first distance; the second distance providingsufficient clearance for the spool to be moved between the installedposition and the removed position; the monolithic frame being in therelaxed position when the spool is in the removed position; and themonolithic frame being in the loaded position when the spool is in theinstalled position.

Definition-2 is the tape dispenser system as recited in Definition-1,plus wherein the monolithic frame is comprised of the first sidewall,the second sidewall, the bridge, and the finger.

Various modifications and alterations to this invention will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood thatthis invention is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrativeembodiments and examples set forth herein and that such examples andembodiments are presented by way of example only with the scope of theinvention intended to be limited only by the claims set forth herein asfollows.

1. A tape dispenser system comprising: a first sidewall; a secondsidewall spaced apart from the second sidewall to define aspool-receiving chamber between the first sidewall and the secondsidewall; a bridge extending from the first sidewall to the secondsidewall, the bridge having a tape-discharge edge; a first flangeextending from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall; a secondflange extending from the second sidewall toward the first sidewall; aspool having selectively an installed position and a removed position,the spool being radially supported by the first flange and the secondflange within the spool-receiving chamber when the spool is in theinstalled position, the spool being outside of the spool-receivingchamber when the spool is in the removed position, the spool having anaxial length and an inner diameter; an adhesive tape wrapped around thespool; a first contact point; a second contact point being on at leastone of the first flange and the first sidewall; a third contact pointbeing on at least one of the first flange and the first sidewall, thefirst contact point being resiliently movable relative to both thesecond contact point and the third contact point; the first contactpoint, the second contact point and the third contact point defining afirst circle when the spool is in the removed position; the first circlebeing larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the spool, the firstcontact point, the second contact point and the third contact pointengaging the inner diameter of the spool when the spool is in theinstalled position; the first contact point, the second contact pointand the third contact point defining a second circle when the spool isin the installed position, the first circle being larger than the secondcircle, the first circle being radially offset relative to the secondcircle, the first contact point relative to both the second contactpoint and the third contact point being resiliently movable from thefirst circle to the second circle; and a monolithic frame beingcomprised of the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the bridge; themonolithic frame being configured selectively to a relaxed position, asplayed position, and a loaded position; the first contact point beingat a first distance from the second sidewall when the monolithic frameis in the relaxed position; the first contact point being at a seconddistance from the second sidewall when the monolithic frame is in thesplayed position; the first contact point being at a third distance fromthe second sidewall when the monolithic frame is in the loaded position;the second distance being greater than the first distance; the thirddistance being greater than the first distance; the second distancebeing greater than the third distance; the second distance providingsufficient clearance for the spool to be moved between the installedposition and the removed position; the monolithic frame being in therelaxed position when the spool is in the removed position; and themonolithic frame being in the loaded position when the spool is in theinstalled position.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled) 5.(canceled)
 6. The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: afourth contact point being on at least one of the first flange and thefirst sidewall, the fourth contact point being spaced apart from thespool when the spool is in the installed position; the second contactpoint, the third contact point and the fourth contact point defining athird circle, the second circle being larger than the third circle; andthe spool being further movable from the installed position to aradially displaced position by virtue of the first contact point beingresiliently movable relative to the second contact point and the thirdcontact point, the spool engaging both the first contact point and thefourth contact point when the spool is in the radially displacedposition.
 7. The tape dispenser of claim 6, wherein the second circleand third circle are radially offset relative to each other.
 8. The tapedispenser of claim 6, wherein the second contact point, the thirdcontact point and the fourth contact point are in a substantially fixedorientation relative to each other regardless of whether the firstcontact point is on the first circle, on the second circle, or on thethird circle.
 9. The tape dispenser of claim 6, wherein at least one ofthe second contact point and the third contact point is spaced apartfrom the spool when the spool is in the radially displaced position. 10.(canceled)
 11. The tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: afinger extending in a cantilevered manner from at least one of the firstsidewall and the first flange to terminate at a distal end of thefinger, the first contact point being on the distal end of the finger,the finger being resiliently flexible; a radial backstop extending fromat least one of the first sidewall and the first flange; a fourthcontact point on the radial backstop, the fourth contact point beingspaced apart from both the spool and the finger when the spool is in theinstalled position; and the spool being further movable from theinstalled position to a radially displaced position by virtue of thefirst contact point being resiliently movable relative to the secondcontact point and the third contact point, the finger engaging thefourth contact point when the spool is in the radially displacedposition.
 12. A tape dispenser system comprising: a first sidewall; asecond sidewall spaced apart from the second sidewall to define aspool-receiving chamber between the first sidewall and the secondsidewall; a bridge extending from the first sidewall to the secondsidewall; a first flange extending from the first sidewall toward thesecond sidewall; a second flange extending from the second sidewalltoward the first sidewall, the second flange being spaced apart from thefirst flange; a spool having selectively an installed position and aremoved position, the spool being radially supported by the first flangeand the second flange within the spool-receiving chamber when the spoolis in the installed position, the spool being outside of thespool-receiving chamber when the spool is in the removed position, thespool having an axial length and an inner diameter; an adhesive tapewrapped around the spool; a first contact point; a second contact pointbeing on at least one of the first flange and the first sidewall; athird contact point being on at least one of the first flange and thefirst sidewall, the first contact point being resiliently movablerelative to at least one of the second contact point and the thirdcontact point; the first contact point, the second contact point and thethird contact point defining a first circle when the spool is in theremoved position; the first contact point, the second contact point andthe third contact point engaging the inner diameter of the spool whenthe spool is in the installed position; the first contact point, thesecond contact point and the third contact point defining a secondcircle when the spool is in the installed position, the first circlebeing larger than the second circle, the first contact point relative toat least one of the second contact point and the third contact pointbeing resiliently movable from the first circle to the second circle,the first circle being radially offset relative to the second circle,the first circle being larger in diameter than the inner diameter of thespool; and a monolithic frame being comprised of the first sidewall, thesecond sidewall and the bridge; the monolithic frame being configuredselectively to a relaxed position, a splayed position, and a loadedposition; the first contact point being at a first distance from thesecond sidewall when the monolithic frame is in the relaxed position;the first contact point being at a second distance from the secondsidewall when the monolithic frame is in the splayed position; the firstcontact point being at a third distance from the second sidewall whenthe monolithic frame is in the loaded position; the second distancebeing greater than the first distance; the second distance providingsufficient clearance for the spool to be moved between the installedposition and the removed position; the monolithic frame being in therelaxed position when the spool is in the removed position, and themonolithic frame being in the loaded position when the spool is in theinstalled position; a fourth contact point being on at least one of thefirst flange and the first sidewall, the fourth contact point beingspaced apart from the spool when the spool is in the installed position;the second contact point, the third contact point and the fourth contactpoint defining a third circle, the second circle being larger than thethird circle; and the spool being further movable from the installedposition to a radially displaced position by virtue of the first contactpoint being resiliently movable relative to the second contact point andthe third contact point, the spool engaging both the first contact pointand the fourth contact point when the spool is in the radially displacedposition.
 13. The tape dispenser system of claim 12, wherein the firstdistance is substantially equal to the third distance.
 14. (canceled)15. The tape dispenser of claim 12, wherein the second circle and thirdcircle are radially offset relative to each other.
 16. The tapedispenser of claim 12, wherein the second contact point, the thirdcontact point and the fourth contact point are in a substantially fixedorientation relative to each other regardless of whether the firstcontact point is on the first circle, on the second circle, or on thethird circle.
 17. The tape dispenser of claim 12, wherein at least oneof the second contact point and the third contact point is spaced apartfrom the spool when the spool is in the radially displaced position. 18.(canceled)
 19. The tape dispenser of claim 12, further comprising: afinger extending in a cantilevered manner from at least one of the firstsidewall and the first flange to terminate at a distal end of thefinger, the first contact point being on the distal end of the finger,the finger being resiliently flexible; a radial backstop extending fromat least one of the first sidewall and the first flange; a fourthcontact point on the radial backstop, the fourth contact point beingspaced apart from both the spool and the finger when the spool is in theinstalled position; and the spool being further movable from theinstalled position to a radially displaced position by virtue of thefirst contact point being resiliently movable relative to the secondcontact point and the third contact point, the finger engaging thefourth contact point when the spool is in the radially displacedposition.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The tape dispenser of claim 1, furthercomprising: a lateral backstop surface on at least one of the firstflange and the first sidewall; and a finger extending in a cantileveredmanner from at least one of the first sidewall and the first flange to adistal end of the finger, the first contact point being on the distalend of the finger, the finger being resiliently movable selectivelytoward the first sidewall to an inner position and away from the firstsidewall to an outer position, the distal end being spaced apart fromthe lateral backstop surface when the finger is at the inner position,the distal end engaging the lateral backstop surface when the finger isat the outer position, the first contact point of the distal end of thefinger engaging the inner diameter of the spool when the spool is in theinstalled position.
 22. The tape dispenser of claim 12, wherein thethird distance is greater than the first distance.
 23. A tape dispensersystem comprising: a first sidewall; a second sidewall spaced apart fromthe first sidewall to define a spool-receiving chamber between the firstsidewall and the second sidewall; a bridge extending from the firstsidewall to the second sidewall, the bridge having a tape-dischargeedge; a first flange extending from the first sidewall toward the secondsidewall; a second flange extending from the second sidewall toward thefirst sidewall; a spool having selectively an installed position and aremoved position, the spool being radially supported by the first flangeand the second flange within the spool-receiving chamber when the spoolis in the installed position, the spool being outside of thespool-receiving chamber when the spool is in the removed position, thespool having an axial length and an inner diameter, the spool beingrotatable about a rotational axis relative to the first flange and thesecond flange; an adhesive tape wrapped around the spool; a lateralbackstop surface on at least one of the first flange and the firstsidewall; a finger extending from at least one of the first flange andthe first sidewall, the finger extending in a cantilevered manner to adistal end of the finger, the finger being resiliently movableselectively toward the first sidewall to an inner position and away fromthe first sidewall to an outer position, the distal end being spacedapart from the lateral backstop surface when the finger is at the innerposition, the distal end engaging the lateral backstop surface when thefinger is at the outer position, the distal end of the finger engagingthe inner diameter of the spool when the spool is in the installedposition; and a monolithic frame being comprised of the first sidewall,the second sidewall and the bridge; the monolithic frame beingconfigured selectively to a relaxed position, a splayed position, and aloaded position; the first sidewall being at a first distance from thesecond sidewall when the monolithic frame is in the relaxed position;the first sidewall being at a second distance from the second sidewallwhen the monolithic frame is in the splayed position; the first sidewallbeing at a third distance from the second sidewall when the monolithicframe is in the loaded position; the second distance being greater thanthe first distance; the second distance providing sufficient clearancefor the spool to be moved between the installed position and the removedposition; the monolithic frame being in the relaxed position when thespool is in the removed position; and the monolithic frame being in theloaded position when the spool is in the installed position.
 24. Thetape dispenser of claim 23, wherein the monolithic frame is comprised ofthe first sidewall, the second sidewall, the bridge, and the finger. 25.The tape dispenser of claim 23, wherein the third distance issubstantially equal to the first distance.
 26. The tape dispenser ofclaim 23, wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance.